Automated Target Apparatus With Controlled Translation and Rotation

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for randomly moving a target in space, comprising: a drive assembly disposed within a housing, an electric motor, a programmable controller, and a moving attachment arm, adapted to move vertically, horizontally, along a curved path, and along a linear path in response to instructions from the controller.

CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62189948, entitled “Automated Target Apparatus WithControlled Translation and Rotation”, filed Jul. 8, 2015, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a moving target for shooting practiceand, more particularly, to a portable, programmable target thattranslates and rotates randomly in response to instructions from acontroller.

2. Description of the Related Art

The related known prior art fails to teach or suggest all of thefunction and advantages of the present invention.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,135,667 discloses an electric shootinggallery employing a light gun and novel photo-electric targets andmechanism for controlling the movement of these targets in a particularmanner.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,161,012 discloses a shooting gallery type of amusementgame in which a moving target structure is provided, along with aphoto-electric cell, sensitive to a ray of light shot from a lightproducing gun or aiming element to cause operation of the targetstructure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,345 discloses a steel target that rocks upon impactfrom a bullet and resets itself under its own counterweight design.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,927 discloses a three-dimensional moving targetsystem comprising a track assembly and a structure for supporting thetarget in an upright position from the track assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,396 discloses a movable target for shootingpractice, comprising a multiplicity of rail track sections, which can bejoined together, and a carriage which can be displaced along theassembled rail-track sections by means of a carriage drive and receivesa target arrangement, whose target-retaining means, which receives atleast one target such that it can be exchanged, can be moved between aneutral position and a target position by means of a target drive. Therail-track sections exhibit feet, which can be stacked one inside theother, and complementary connecting parts at the ends, and provision ismade for end-side buffer stops with corresponding connecting parts, thecarriage exhibiting, at one end, transporting wheels which are connectedreleasably to said carriage and of which the diameter is greater thanthat of the carriage wheels, and, at the opposite end, a handle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,037 discloses a programmable device that can beactivated by a user to set up any one or multiple different motions ofthe device, for instance, a shooting target.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,774 discloses a moving shooting target system forproviding a first stationary target that triggers a second moving targetwhen stricken with a bullet. The moving shooting target system includesa frame with a shooting opening and a target reservoir, a first targetattached to a support member, and a stopper member attached to thesupport member. The stopper member releases at least one second targetfrom the target reservoir when the first target is stricken by a bullet.The released second target rolls along and through the shooting openingwhere a shooter is able to shoot the released second target.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,394 discloses a modular, expandable, and portableshooting range system. The system can include one or more shootingmodules that mount together to provide different numbers of shootinglanes with various lengths. The shooting modules are pre-engineered withremovable panels to permit additional shooting modules to be added on ascustomer orders. This configuration also permits adding to the length ofthe shooting range to accommodate firing of different weapons. Theshooting range system can further include a control booth which isdivided from the shooting lanes. The control booth can be integrallyformed with the shooting modules, or can be separate. The control boothcan include a module control which allows a person to control lighting,air, and target control systems of the shooting range system, and canfurther provide a safe location to view the range.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,029,198 discloses a pivot driving portion including aplatform, a vertical driving portion connection portion rotatablyinstalled on the platform, and a pivot driving portion including a motorwhich rotates the vertical driving portion connection portion. Thevertical driving portion includes a pivot driving portion connectionportion connected to an upper side of the vertical driving portionconnection portion, a column standing on the pivot driving portionconnection portion, a mount rotatably arranged in an upper portion ofthe column, and a motor rotating the mount with respect to the column.The rotation shaft of the vertical driving portion connection portion ofthe pivot driving portion and the rotation shaft of the vertical drivingportion mount intersect each other.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,655,257 discloses a mobile base unit, a target body andan unattached control system. The base unit has a chassis plate drivenby a plurality of motors and a plurality of wheel assemblies within anexterior armor which protects internal components of the chassis fromprojectile impacts. The target body mounts to an extension plate affixedto the underside of the chassis plate of the base unit, creating asubject that moves in varying directions.

Upon review of the prior art, one observes that what is needed in theart is a constant motion, randomly moving translating and rotatingtarget having a smooth motion.

SUMMARY

In a first exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises anapparatus for randomly moving a target in space, said apparatuscomprising: a drive assembly disposed within a housing, said driveassembly comprising: an electric motor, a controller, and a movingattachment piece, said electric motor operably attached to saidcontroller and to said moving attachment device, said moving attachmentdevice adapted to move vertically and horizontally in response toinstructions from said controller; a shaft, said shaft having a firstend and a second end, said first end of said shaft attached to saidmoving attachment device of said drive assembly; and a target, saidtarget removably attached to said second end of said shaft.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises anapparatus for randomly moving a target in space, said apparatuscomprising: a drive assembly disposed within a housing, said driveassembly comprising: an electric motor, a controller, and a movingattachment piece, said electric motor operably attached to saidcontroller and to said moving attachment device, said moving attachmentdevice adapted to move along a path in response to instructions fromsaid controller; a shaft, said shaft having a first end and a secondend, said first end of said shaft attached to said moving attachmentdevice of said drive assembly; and a target, said target removablyattached to said second end of said shaft.

In still another exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprisesan apparatus for randomly moving a target in space, said apparatuscomprising: a drive assembly disposed within a housing, said driveassembly comprising: an electric motor, a controller, and a movingattachment piece, said electric motor operably attached to saidcontroller and to said moving attachment device, said moving attachmentdevice adapted to move vertically, horizontally, along a curved path,and along a linear path in response to instructions from saidcontroller; a shaft, said shaft having a first end and a second end,said first end of said shaft attached to said moving attachment deviceof said drive assembly; and a target, said target removably attached tosaid second end of said shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detaileddescription given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, shouldnot be taken to limit the invention, but are for explanation andunderstanding only.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a front operational view of an apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a control panel for an apparatus accordingto the present invention with the apparatus moving.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplary embodiments set forth hereinare not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in termsof various exemplary embodiments according to the present invention withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious,however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessaryobscuring of the present invention.

Thus, all of the implementations described below are exemplaryimplementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make oruse the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit thescope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. As used herein,the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as“exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, in thepresent description, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”,“right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereofshall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.

Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in theattached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in theappended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown targeting apparatus 100 inaccordance with the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1,apparatus 100 generally comprises target 10, swing arm 20, controlmodule 30, control panel 50, and stand 60.

Referring still to FIG. 1, target 10 may comprise any known materialused for shooting targets including, without limitation, aluminum orother light metals, paper, rubber, or plastic. As further illustrated inFIG. 1, target 10 may comprises concentric circles or other visualmedia.

Referring again to FIG. 1, targeting apparatus 100 further comprisesswing arm 20. Swing arm 20 comprises a generally elongated shape havinga first end and a second end. The first end of swing arm 20 is removablyattached to the back of target 10. Swing arm 20 is further attached atits second end to control module 30.

Referring now to FIG. 2, swing arm 20 is telescopically and rotationallyconnected to control module 30. Control module as illustrated in FIG. 2,swing arm 20 is adapted to extend and retract radially from controlmodule 30. Additionally, swing arm 20 is adapted to rotate about controlmodule 20.

Referring still to FIG. 2, swing arm 20 preferably allows target 10 tobe rotated at least 180 degrees and preferably up to almost 360 degreesabout control module 30. Thus, target 10 is randomly removable inmultiple degrees of freedom about control module 30. In someembodiments, swing arm 20 is also pivotally connected to control module30 such that target 10 can move closer to or farther away from a shooterusing the device. In this manner, apparatus 200 of the present inventionuniquely allows target 10 to move in more than one plane relative to ashooter/user of the apparatus 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, target 10 is able to translate, rotate, and/orpivot in response to instructions from controller 30.

Referring still on FIG. 2, control module 30 may comprise at least twoelectric motors (not shown). The first motor is adapted to move swingarm 20 and target 10 along a horizontal or vertical linear path. Thesecond motor is adapted to rotate swing arm 20 and target 10 aboutcontrol module 30. The present invention further comprises one or moreposition sensors to provide information about target location and speedto the control module 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3, control module 30 includes a preprogrammed orprogrammable microprocessor or other logic device and control panel 40.Control module 40 may include a plurality of analog or digital inputs.As illustrated in FIG. 5, control panel 40 inputs may include an on/offswitch, a USB input, a mode dial, a speed control dial, and a rangecontrol dial. Control module 30 and control panel 40 of the presentinvention further comprises software that includes preset operatingmodes defining, speed, path, and duration. However, the presentinvention further comprises user interfaces, such as a USB interface,that allow programming by graphical user interface or free form using apc or other user interface. The present invention preferably furthercomprises means of receiving remote operating instructions using a radiofrequency remote control or blue tooth receiving device.

In one exemplary embodiment, the controller 30 receives input frompressure transducers functionally to target 10. Input from saidtransducers is relayed to control module 30 as an input to the programfor motion of swing arm 20. Such input may be used to instructcontroller 30 to alter the speed or path of target 10.

Referring now again to FIG. 1, apparatus 100 of the present inventionpreferably includes an AC Charger that takes standard 120 Volt AC housecurrent and converts it to 12 Volts DC current for charging of anon-board battery for control module 30.

Referring now to again to FIG. 1, apparatus 100 of the present inventionfurther comprises stand 60. Stand 60 includes a base 61 and brace 62.Stand 60 is sized and weighted to hold apparatus 100 in position whileswing arm 20 and target 10 move radially and rotationally about controlmodule 30.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present invention can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for randomly moving a target in space, said apparatuscomprising: a drive assembly disposed within a housing, said driveassembly comprising: an electric motor, a programmable controller, and amoving attachment arm, said electric motor operably attached to saidcontroller and to said moving attachment arm, said moving attachment armadapted to translate and rotate in response to instructions from saidcontroller; a shaft, said shaft having a first end and a second end,said first end of said shaft attached to said moving attachment arm ofsaid drive assembly; and a target, said target removably attached tosaid second end of said shaft.
 2. An apparatus for randomly moving atarget in space, said apparatus comprising: a drive assembly disposedwithin a housing, said drive assembly comprising: an electric motor, aprogrammable controller, and a moving attachment arm, said electricmotor operably attached to said controller and to said moving attachmentarm, said moving attachment device adapted to move along a path inresponse to instructions from said controller; a shaft, said shafthaving a first end and a second end, said first end of said shaftattached to said moving attachment arm of said drive assembly; and atarget, said target removably attached to said second end of said shaft.3. An apparatus for randomly moving a target in space, said apparatuscomprising: a drive assembly disposed within a housing, said driveassembly comprising: an electric motor, a programmable controller, and amoving attachment arm, said electric motor operably attached to saidcontroller and to said moving attachment arm, said moving attachmentdevice adapted to move vertically, horizontally, along a curved path,and along a linear path in response to instructions from saidcontroller; a shaft, said shaft having a first end and a second end,said first end of said shaft attached to said moving attachment arm ofsaid drive assembly; and a target, said target removably attached tosaid second end of said shaft.